Chapter Twenty Three Structured Notes
For any other information please refer to your textbook and powerpoint class notes!
IMPERIALISM – Why not all the other industrial
nations have EMPIRES!
 Isolationism is the idea of remaining neutral and having little to do with the
affairs of other nations
 The desire for Americans to expand westward in the 1840’s and later to spread
her boundaries overseas was called Manifest Destiny.
 The purchase of Alaska from Russia in 1867 became one of the first major
overseas acquisitions by the U.S. following the Civil War
 Under imperialism, a stronger country attempts to control a weaker one, gain
natural resources, and sell its products in their markets
 The causes of the Spanish American were “Yellow Journalism”, the harsh
Spanish treatment of the Cuban people, and the sinking of the battleship Maine
 U.S. involvement in the Spanish-American War showed that our government
can be affected by the actions of the press (yellow journalism)
 The “Open Door Policy” prevented European nations from dividing up China
as colonies, and allowed all nations equal trading privileges or spheres of
influence, which were exclusive areas of trade in China
 The Panama Canal was built to increase U.S. security and trade in the
Caribbean and around the world
 The U.S. showed interest in Asia and the Pacific by annexing Hawaii, the
Philippines, Samoa, and by supporting the Open Door Policy
 Manufacturers wanted the U.S. to acquire overseas colonies in the late 19th
century as a cheap source of raw materials, and as a market for industrial goods
 The U.S. occupied Midway Island and Guam in the Pacific to set up a naval
refueling and repair station for its ships.
 Between 1900 – 1920, the basic goal of U.S. policy toward the nations of Latin
America was to increase American political and economic interests.
 American newspapers utilized sensational, often untrue headlines and halftruths (Yellow Journalism) to help sell newspapers and helping lead to the
Spanish-American War
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 The immediate spark of the Spanish-American war was the explosion of the
battleship Maine.
 Dollar Diplomacy was President Taft’s policy to bring peace to Latin America
by helping financial investments in Latin America.
 Many anti-imperialists (people against imperialism) believed that imperialism
was founded on the idea of racism
 The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 was passed to help keep European nations from
interfering in the affairs of the U.S. in the Western Hemisphere
 The Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine gave the U.S. the authority to
interfere in the affairs of the countries of Latin America (Central America,
South America, and the Caribbean), and act as an international policeman
 White Man’s Burden was the idea of the United States to occupy colonies to
better, westernize (modernize), and Christianize the native inhabitants of the
lands occupied by the U.S.
 Big Stick Diplomacy was the unofficial name of President Theodore
Roosevelt’s foreign policy toward Latin America, which called for strong
actions to keep Europeans out of Latin America; however, these actions
damaged the U.S. relationship with Latin American countries
 The isthmus of Panama, was an area of land which was suitable for the
construction of a canal
 The Boxer Rebellion occurred in China, and was an effort by Chinese citizens
to protest against foreign imperialism
 The rise in imperialism changed the U.S. foreign policy advice George
Washington had given America in 1796, which stated to remain out of the
affairs of the world (remain neutral)
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